It’s that time of year again – New Year’s resolutions that bud in December and fade by February, forgotten by March.

Resolution is a form of resolute. Webster defines resolute as “marked by firm determination”, and lists some of its synonyms as “hell-bent”, “bound”, and “single-minded”.

In thinking about the past year and the one about to ring in, it seems different than other years. A resolution seems a serious undertaking, not something to be taken lightly.

Things which once seemed worthy of such seriousness to me – being more organized, eating better, exercising more – seem trivial now.

I suppose it’s because these things seem highly dependent on a larger goal – which is to be a more awake and compassionate being.

Given this, the only thing that seems worthy of such resoluteness is that which moves me toward greater compassion and awakeness. These are simple but not easy, and require a commitment to keep working at them, even when it seems hopeless:

spending time in silence daily

monitoring and challenging negative self-talk

identifying feelings and allowing them to be experienced

validating and soothing the upsets and irritations of being human

choosing gratitude over grousing

being a good steward of this body by listening to and taking care of its needs instead of resisting them – eating, sleeping, resting, playing, moving, working in the right quantities

It really seems like a single resolution if you look closely, does it not? Embracing the human experience instead of fighting it. To me, it’s the only thing that makes sense. Anyone want to join me?